Independent Short Film Premieres & Interviews // Directors Notes

Premiere Category

An Expecting Young Father’s Traumatic Past Threatens to Overshadow His Happy Present in Luke Brookner’s ‘Home’

Luke Brookner delves into using 16mm & 35mm to represent the dual timelines of his film depicting the struggle of leaving behind an upbringing in foster care.

Live Action, Premiere

Nathan Morris’ Morning After Pill Comedy ‘My Eyes Are Up Here’ Exposes the Discriminatory Barriers of an Ableist World

Nathan Morris reveals the essential role his Disability Coordinator played in ensuring the diversity, inclusion and authenticity of his budding romance short.

Music, Premiere

A Runaway Bride Can’t Escape Her Past in Austin Hutching’s Striking Music Video for Kat Duma’s ‘So Long’

Austin Hutchings speaks to us about the importance of tangibility when creating the ambitious imagery for his train carriage-set music video.

Live Action, Premiere

A Pet’s Ill-Fated Demise Leads a Guilty Housemate to a Bizarre Remedy in Dark Comedy ‘Dead Cat Film’

Josie Charles & Nathan Miller talk to DN about the unwanted attention they garnered filming in public with a taxidermied cat for their quirky comedy short.

Art & Fashion, Premiere

Amaka Lin’s Experimental Dance Short ‘Stasis’ Finds an Ancient Force Inspiring a Peculiar Transformation

Amaka Lin reveals how the unsettling yet meditative textures of dark ambient music inspired her movement-led exploration of time, nature and the future.

Live Action, Premiere

An Unnerving Stranger Disrupts a Fireside Get Together in Joel Jay Blacker’s Comedy ‘Don’t Let Kyle Sit Down’

Joel Jay Blacker discusses his love of the comedic tension found in the spaces between conversations as deftly used in his unnerving unwelcome guest comedy.

Live Action, Premiere

A High Schooler Has an Unusual Request for His Classmate in Christian Meola’s Drama ‘The Expanding Horizon’

Christian Meola opens up about discovering new narrative territory and a widely diverse range of responses to his emotionally intense coming of age drama.

Live Action, Premiere

A Dubious Pair With Ulterior Motives Spin an Unbelievable Yarn in Sean Lyons’ Political Satire ‘Smoking Dolphins’

Sean Lyons unpacks the on point comedic tone and tension-structured shooting style of his smoky comedy calling out the self-serving doublespeak of politicians.

Documentary, Premiere

A Viral Internet Moment Propels a Leeds Bakery Into the Limelight in Alison Grasso’s Documentary ‘Hope You Fail’

Alison Grasso delves into finding the character driven heart of her film about a UK baker's Sprinklegate fight over the use of illegal American sprinkles.

Animation, Premiere

How a Desire for Environmental Harmony Led Emily Halaka to Create Animated Fever-Dream Short ‘Organic Matter’

Emily Halaka joins DN to discuss how she used animation to promote harmony between humanity and the Earth in her delightfully surreal ecological short.

Art & Fashion, Premiere

Harry Price Explores the Disorientating Nature of Unhealthy Dependant Relationships in Dance Short ‘LIMPET’

Harry Price talks through the close handheld camera work directing the audience to the subtle nuances in his claustrophobic relationship dance short.

Live Action, Premiere

Jerome Yoo Encapsulates the Chaotic Abandon of Self-Centred Youth in Fantastical Short ‘River Boy Blues’

Jerome Yoo talks about adopting handheld camera work to express the freedom and abandon of his teenage protagonists on a mission to relocate a significant pet.